Rain, gale-force winds and lower temperatures are to blight much of northern England and Scotland as the bank holiday unfolds, while sunny patches could appear further south, forecasters said.

In rural areas of Scotland and the North, spring could be mistaken for its predecessor - with frosty conditions poised to take hold on Saturday night, according to the Met Office.

Showers are also expected to dampen the festive spirit in those parts of the UK throughout the weekend, accompanied by winds which will potentially reach gale force on Wednesday, it added.

Temperatures are to be a far cry from the summertime heights reached across much of the country last week, instead hovering between 15C and 17C (59F and 67F) in southern England between Wednesday and Sunday and 11C and 12C (52F and 54F) in northern England and Scotland.

Bright skies will greet many as they open their curtains each morning, but clouds are expected to sweep across from the west as the bank holiday begins.

Forecaster Nicola Maxey said: "If you are in a patch of sunshine it is going to feel quite pleasant, but when it clouds over time, and with the cold breezes further north, it is going to feel chilly.

"So, a contrast to last weekend, but April is a month when you see these extremes when it goes up and down."